Blues claims Melbourne prize

Delta Blues led home a one-two for Japanese trainer Katsuhiko Sumii in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Park.

The six-year-old, ridden by Yasunari Iwata, just held the late challenge of stablemate Pop Rock to claim top honours in a thrilling finish to the two-mile feature.

Irish raider Yeats was prominent turning for home but quickly faded in the home straight and finished in the pack for Kieren Fallon.

Yeats was slow to break for Fallon but he quickly made up lost ground and was settled in eighth place as Zabeat set a testing early pace.

Fallon steadily worked his way through and moved up to second around six furlongs out before hitting the front turning into the straight.

However, the top weight quickly found himself swallowed up as the challengers lined up in behind and Iwata conjured a fantastic run from Delta Blues to take it up around a furlong and half out.

Damien Oliver was just hitting top gear aboard Pop Rock though, and he threw down a serious challenge in final half-furlong to narrowly lose out.

Maybe Better stayed on for third with Zipping filling fourth place.